identity theory

Theory of Mind : Mental states are. Something is in pain only if, and because,. The Identity Theory : Mental states are physical states of the brain. Something is in pain only if, and because, its c-fibers are firing.

1.The Causal Objection 2.The Problem of Other Minds 3.The Super Stoic Objection 4.The Perfect Pretender Objection

necessary = true and could not have been false contingent = true, but could have been false a priori = known independently of observation a posteriori = known, but not independently of observation

The Necessity of Identity : For any x and y, if x is identical to y, then x is necessarily identical to y. Leibniz’s Law : For any x and y, if x is identical to y, then x and y have all of the same properties.

Kripke’s Argument 1)x is identical to y.[assume for CP] 2)y is necessarily identical to y. 3)[So] x is necessarily identical to y. 4)[So] If x is identical to y, then x is necessarily identical to y. 5)For any x and y, if x is identical to y, the x is necessarily identical to y.

The Modal Argument 1)If the Identity Theory is correct, then pain is identical to the firing of C-fibers. 2)If pain is identical to the firing of C-fibers, then pain is necessarily identical to the firing of C-fibers. 3)If pain is necessarily identical to firing of C-fibers, then pain could not have existed without the firing of C-fibers. 4)Pain could have existed without the firing of C-fibers. 5)The Identity Theory is incorrect.

The Parody Argument 1)If current chemical theory is correct, then water is identical to H2O. 2)If water is identical to H2O, then water is necessarily identical to H2O. 3)If water is necessarily identical to H2O, then water could not have existed without H2O. 4)Water could have existed without H2O. 5)Current chemical theory is incorrect.